Novel Lived
Chapter 292
Chapter 292: Retribution (4)
Rogers silently advanced through the scene surrounded by the pungent smell of blood. It wasn’t just the odour of blood that filled his nostrils; he could also sense a different kind of aroma—perhaps the smell of screams and despair? It was the scent that naturally emanated when a creature near death cried out in unbearable pain and frenzied madness. Rogers was especially familiar with this smell; at the end of this scent at every crime scene, a certain being could always be found.
At the end of the path, Rogers halted his steps when he caught sight of a familiar figure. His lord and the absolute ruler of the demon world, Demon King Belcarion.
“Hm? When did you arrive, Rogers?”
“Just now, my lord.”
Belcarion greeted Rogers with a blood-soaked smile. Before him laid an unidentifiable grotesque mass, drenched in blood. Rogers summoned mana to his hand and approached the Demon King with long strides, ready to deal with the aftermath as he usually did.
“No, stop. Don’t bother.”
Belcarion, however, halted him.
“Will you leave it as it is?” Rogers questioned.
“I’ve no particular desire to erase the traces. Besides, there are no demon residences around here, right?”
“Anyone would recognize it as the Demon King’s doing.”
“All the better if they do.”
Belcarion seemed to prefer it that way.
“It can serve as a warning and a testament to my power, don’t you think?”
“What are you trying to prove?”
“That my nature as a Demon King is still very much intact. That at any time, anywhere, and to anyone, I can do this without any effort if I so wish.”
Belcarion gazed at the corpse, an evil grin in his eyes, which caused Rogers to frown slightly.
“It’s not that Ash fellow, is it?”
“Right. Instead, this was the witch who made the pendant that tormented Besti. She claimed that Ash fellow would no longer be in the demon world.”
“Then where?”
“She didn’t know. Told me to look in the mortal realm if I was curious.”
Upon mentioning the mortal realm again, Rogers couldn’t help but swallow.
“Do you intend to go?”
The question was loaded with meanings, and Rogers’ expression tensed up. Belcarion simply flashed a sly smile.
“Who knows?”
Behind him, the vengeful spirits of the cursed swords were still yearning for blood and wailing madness.
* * *
“What are you thinking, Marian?”Nôv(el)B\\jnn
“Weren’t we supposed to not ask each other questions anymore?”
“If it were an explicable action, there’d be no room for questions. Why did you intercept the prey those two were hunting?”
“It wasn’t exactly intercepting. I was just temporarily tying it down. It wasn’t something I wanted to do.”
“I wonder if the supreme beings will see it the same way. Doubts linger.”
Marian shrugged as if it didn’t really concern her, while Nagel watched her with a wary look.
“Do you plan to collaborate with the God of the Black Mist?”
“Why do you ask? You know as well as I do that as arbitrators, we don’t get involved in worldly affairs. It would be improper to think otherwise over a trivial matter like this.”
“I asked the wrong question then. Does the Goddess of the Blue Waters plan to cooperate with the God of the Black Mist?”
At the mention of the goddess, Marian’s eyebrows moved slightly.
“Didn’t know you were such a curious man. What? You want in too?”
“The thought alone is appalling. Leave my pocket dimension if you’re done here.”
“I was just about to.”
Opening a gate, Marian soon turned back to Nagel.
“You’ve become quite human, haven’t you?”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing in particular.”
With a satisfied smile, Marian left the pocket dimension. After she left, familiar footsteps sounded from beyond the space. Nagel was confronted by Xian, who he had instructed Mishuka to bring.
“Your eyes watching me are peculiar. As if I’m hiding something?”
“Do you say that because it pricks your conscience?”
Xian retorted with a calm response.